Synonyms of down-to-the-wirenext
: full of suspense
especially : unsettled until the very end

Examples of down-to-the-wire in a Sentence

a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Less than a month ago, the Lakers squandered double-digit leads against the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic in down-to-the-wire defeats. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 19 Mar. 2026 The result is some down-to-the-wire races in several major categories. David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 One of the more memorable high school basketball postseasons in recent memory — highlighted with back-to-back, down-to-the-wire North Coast Section boys games at San Leandro High School on Saturday night — feeds into this week’s CIF Northern California tournament, which opens Tuesday. Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026 That stress and pressure presented itself in a down-to-the-wire finish. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of down-to-the-wire was in 1930

Cite this Entry

“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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